Mini Tummy Tuck in Newcastle & Sydney by Dr Turner

The skin-only mini tummy tuck is a less invasive type of tummy tuck surgery that focuses on removing excess loose skin from the area below the belly button.

Unlike the classical tummy tuck, the mini abdominoplasty doesn’t usually include excess fat removal or tightening of separated abdominal muscles. Instead, this cosmetic procedure targets sagging skin in the lower belly area left behind after weight loss or pregnancy.

Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Scott Turner is an expert in stomach reshaping surgery and minimally invasive tummy tuck procedures. He offers each patient a tailored abdominoplasty that can restore the flat, firm tummy appearance.

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What Is a Skin-Only Tummy Tuck?

A mini tummy tuck, also known as a skin-only tummy tuck, is a cosmetic surgery that corrects loose, stretched-out skin in the lower belly area. It focuses only on the part of the abdomen below the navel.

Weight gain and pregnancy can stretch out your skin and make it lose some of its elasticity. After weight loss or childbirth, your belly skin might sag and hang below your belly button.

This cosmetic surgery is ideal for people who want to get rid of a mummy pooch or excess skin that forms a little pouch below the navel.

A mini tummy tuck is also called a skin-only tummy tuck because it doesn’t usually include abdominal muscle tightening or repair. It has little or no effect on the underlying abdominal fat and muscles.

What’s the Difference Between a Skin-Only Tummy Tuck and a Full Tummy Tuck?

A skin-only mini tummy tuck is similar to a full tummy tuck. Both procedures aim to recontour and tighten the belly area.

However, a mini abdominoplasty is a less invasive procedure than a full abdominoplasty. It involves a smaller incision, less surgery time, and less dramatic changes in the shape of the stomach.

When compared to a full tummy tuck:

A mini abdominoplasty requires a shorter incision (15-20 cm long). Unlike a standard abdominoplasty, the mini tummy tuck incision doesn’t extend to the sides of the hips
It removes less amount of extra loose skin from the belly area than a regular tummy tuck
It only targets the lower abdomen and does not address the upper belly area
It doesn’t involve excess fat removal or the repair of split abdominal muscles
It does not require an incision around the belly button

During a mini tummy tuck, your surgeon will have to remove the maximum amount of excess skin with minimal invasiveness – a skill not found in just any plastic surgeon.

Over the years, Dr Scott Turner has perfected abdominoplasty procedures to give his patients the best cosmetic results in the least invasive ways.

Tummy-Tuck-or-Liposuction stomach_Dr-Turner_Sydney_Feature-Image

What Are the Benefits of a Skin-Only Tummy Tuck?

Since it’s a less invasive procedure, a mini tummy tuck offers the following benefits:

It leaves a smaller tummy tuck scar
It doesn’t leave a scar around the belly button
It requires less surgery time
It requires a relatively short recovery period
It is performed under general anaesthesia

A skin-only mini-abdominoplasty can restore your tummy’s flat and tight appearance after pregnancy or weight loss.

Am I a Good Candidate For a Skin-Only Tummy Tuck?

The skin-only tummy tuck is most effective for people who want to tighten loose skin in the lower part of the abdomen. If you also want to correct excess belly fat and lax abdominal muscles, you might benefit more from a full tummy tuck.

To be eligible for a mini abdominoplasty, you have to be:

In good health: you don’t have untreated medical issues or conditions that can prevent you from being under anaesthesia for the duration of the procedure
A non-smoker: smoking affects your health and restricts blood flow. You must be a non-smoker or quit smoking at least four weeks before your tummy tuck to avoid post-op complications and poor wound healing
Your cosmetic concerns are restricted to your lower belly: you’re a man or woman with a lower belly bulge but a somehow flat upper belly
You accept tummy tuck scars: after a mini tummy tuck, you will have a horizontal scar along the bikini line. Although the scar is smaller than that with a full tummy tuck, it will be visible when you take your clothes off

How Is a Skin-Only Tummy Tuck Performed?

Skin-only abdominoplasty surgery can be done under general anaesthesia. The entire procedure lasts between one and a half to three hours. During the procedure, Dr Turner will perform the following:

First, he will make a horizontal incision, similar to a c-section incision, just above your pubic area. The incision is done low on the abdomen and will be hidden easily with a bikini or underwear
Next, he will separate the skin layer from the underlying tissue and muscle layers
Then, the overlying skin is pulled downward to flatten your lower belly, and the excess skin is cut out. If needed, Dr Turner can remove some excess fat and do minimal abs muscle repair during your mini abdominoplasty
Finally, your incision will be closed using dissolvable stitches that will be absorbed over time

Usually, patients don’t need to stay at the hospital after the procedure – you’ll be able to return home to recover only a few hours after your mini tummy tuck surgery.

Skin-Only Tummy Tuck Recovery

Since it’s a less extensive surgery, you can expect a faster and less painful recovery from a mini abdominoplasty than from a regular tummy tuck.

Every patient heals differently and will have a slightly different recovery timeline after a mini tummy tuck.

In general, here’s what you can expect during your recovery from a skin-only mini abdominoplasty:

You will need time off from working, driving, exercising, and other physical activities for about a week
You’ll have belly swelling that lasts around 4 to 6 weeks. Residual swelling in the belly can take up to a few months to resolve
You’ll have some bruising in the belly area that peaks during the first few days after your mini tummy tuck and lasts around two weeks
You will have some pain and mild discomfort that peak during the first week after your mini-abdominoplasty and are usually easily managed with prescribed pain meds

Dr Turner will give you clear post-op instructions to help you through a smooth and uncomplicated recovery. He’ll follow up with you for a couple of months to check up on your scar and healing process.

Risks and Complications of Mini Tummy Tuck Surgery

Like any other cosmetic surgery, a skin-only tummy tuck might have some mild complications, including:

Seroma (build-up of fluid under the skin)
Haematoma (build-up of blood under the skin)
Numbness in the skin
Wound infection
Skin necrosis (the skin tissue around the incision turns darker or black). However, this is a rare complication

An experienced and skilled plastic surgeon can minimise the risk of complications from your mini tummy tuck surgery.

How To Prepare For Skin-Only Mini Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Preparing well for a mini abdominoplasty can help you get the most out of your procedure. Below are some of the best tips to help you get ready for your mini tummy tuck surgery:

Get close to your ideal weight: losing weight before your mini abdominoplasty helps your surgeon remove the maximum amount of loose skin possible
Perform regular physical exercises: exercising strengthens your heart and lungs and improves their functions. Working out regularly in the months before your mini tummy tuck gets you in shape before your surgery and helps you recover faster
Start with stool softeners: consult your surgeon about when to start a laxative or stool softener before your mini abdominoplasty. That can help you with possible postoperative constipation
Quit smoking: smoking restricts blood flow and slows down recovery. Stop smoking at least four weeks before your skin-only tummy tuck surgery to avoid wound healing problems and other post-op complications
Avoid drinking alcohol: alcohol acts as a blood thinner and can increase your risk of bruising and bleeding. Don’t drink alcohol for a couple of days before your mini tummy tuck procedure
Adjust your medications: stop taking anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen), aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen), and herbal supplements before your mini tummy tuck surgery. These medications can interfere with your anaesthesia or cause excessive bleeding and bruising. Consult your surgeon on when to stop taking herbal supplements, vitamins, and other OTC meds before your mini abdominoplasty

Can You Combine a Mini Tummy Tuck With Other Procedures?

Dr Turner often performs the mini tummy tuck as a part of a post-pregnancy procedure.

A skin-only abdominoplasty can be combined with other cosmetic procedures to improve your cosmetic results. Those include:

Cosmetic breast surgery (breast augmentation or lift surgery)
Liposuction (helps remove stubborn belly fat to further contour the stomach)

What Is the Cost of Skin-Only Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Several factors can make a difference in how much a mini tummy tuck surgery costs, including:

The complexity of the procedure – how much correction does your belly require
Other complementary cosmetic procedures combined with your mini tummy tuck (liposuction or breast surgery)
The type of anaesthetic used
How much aftercare you’re going to need
The location of the facility where you’ll have your surgery

After examining you and going over the details of your procedure, Dr Turner will be able to estimate how much you’ll have to pay for your mini abdominoplasty.

You can check out the Plastic Surgery Pricing and Payment Plans by clicking on this link: Surgery Pricing and Payment Plans for Dr Scott Turner Plastic Surgeon

Is It Worth Having a Mini Tummy Tuck?

91% of patients who got a mini tummy tuck procedure gave it a Worth It review and were satisfied with their results.

This cosmetic procedure can tighten and flatten the lower abdomen and leaves behind only a small scar that can be covered easily.

Keep in mind that a mini abdominoplasty isn’t for everyone. It’s ideal for people with only a small skin pouch in the lower abdomen. People who want to remove a more extensive amount of loose skin or repair abdominal muscle laxity could benefit more from a full tummy tuck.

Hence, whether a mini tummy tuck is the best procedure for you depends on how much saggy belly skin you have and its location.

Dr Scott Turner specialises in minimally invasive tummy tuck surgery and can advise you whether this procedure can give you the satisfying results you’re looking for.

FAQs about Mini Tummy Tuck

How soon after birth can I have a skin-only tummy tuck?

You’ll need around nine to twelve months after giving birth before getting a mini abdominoplasty. That will give your abdominal tissue time to heal from the delivery, and you’ll have time to lose some of your pregnancy weight before your tummy tuck surgery.

Does a skin-only tummy tuck tighten split tummy muscles?

While a full tummy tuck can fix a diastasis recti, the mini tummy tuck does not address separated abdominal muscles. It mainly focuses on removing sagging skin from the lower abdomen.

Will there be a visible scar after my skin-only abdominoplasty?

Yes, the mini tummy tuck leaves a short scar. However, it will be low down your abdomen and can be covered easily by a bikini or your underwear. Moreover, you won’t have a scar around the belly button.

When will the results of my skin-only mini tummy tuck be visible?

You’ll be able to notice the results of your mini abdominoplasty around six weeks after your procedure. During that time, your wounds will heal and the swelling and bruising will gradually subside.

Are the results of a skin-only tummy tuck procedure permanent?

The results from a mini tummy tuck are permanent. Nonetheless, another pregnancy or significant weight gain can undo the cosmetic benefits of your surgery. After your mini tummy tuck, stick to a healthy diet and regular exercise to avoid weight fluctuations and maintain your results.

Medical References about Mini Tummy Tuck

Next Steps

Always Do Your Research

Enquire to find out more about your surgery
Please read our website to learn more about your intended procedure

Do you need a Medical Referral to see Dr Turner?

A GP Referral is required to Consult with Dr Turner (under new AHPRA Regulations)
Please obtain a referral from your GP or Specialist if you want a consultation for an MBS item number surgery.
Please note that your Medicare Rebates will NOT be claimable without a valid recent Medical Referral

Making The Most Of Your Consultation

Please arrive slightly early for your in-person consultation
You are welcome to bring a friend or relative to help consider the information and discuss your options
Please be aware you may need to undress for a physical exam so wear simple clothes
Ensure you also take a lot of notes during the consultation and thoroughly examine all the documents provided

Want more information before scheduling your consultation?

Find out more about pricing and payment plans
Request more information about the procedure – call or contact us

How to Book Your Consultation

You can book your initial consultation by paying the $350 cosmetic consultation fee in advance – when you make your appointment

BOOK A PHONE CALL FOR MORE INFO

To find out more information about surgery you can book a FREE 15-minute phone conversation with our Friendly Patient Care team via Calendly- Book Consultant 1 or Book Consultant 2

Contact us or call on 1300 437 758 to arrange your surgeon consultation in Sydney.

Email us for more information: enquiries@drturner.com.au

Mini Tummy Tuck Surgery Sydney NSW